[Hiring] Director, Urban & Community Forestry @f4cdd59b-bdcf-4e58-9e68-112518aa9a0a

Role Description

Trees help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face, from extreme heat to increased flooding, poor air quality, and loss of biodiversity. For 150 years, American Forests has worked to make sure everyone shares in the benefits trees and forests provide. To support this work, we are hiring a Director, Urban & Community Forestry, Pacific Northwest to lead this work across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

This is a field-facing role. You'll be American Forests’ lead relationship-holder working with state, tribal and local governments, utilities and community-based organizations, scoping needs and providing GIS, policy, planning, and financing resources with on-the-ground impact in this region. You'll also identify partners ready for deeper, funded engagements and help secure the public and philanthropic dollars to deliver impact on the ground.

This position is ideal for someone with strong arboriculture knowledge, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and project management experience.

The Director will:

• Lead American Forests’ work to advance tree equity across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
• Build and maintain relationships with state agencies, municipalities, and community organizations.
• Assess urban forestry needs and develop and deliver programs and projects.
• Coordinate support from AF’s broader Urban & Community Forestry team.
• Pursue new public and philanthropic funding opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in the field of arboriculture, landscape architecture, forestry, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in urban forestry, urban planning, or environmental program management.
• Professional experience with urban forestry, urban planning, or environmental program management in the Pacific Northwest.
• Established relationships with municipal and state agencies, state urban and community forestry councils, regional USFS coordinators, community-based organizations, and funders.
• ISA Certified Arborist or Certified Urban Forest Professional preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to own a portfolio of government or nonprofit relationships.
• Working knowledge of the federal and state funding landscape in the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience designing and leading peer learning workshops, technical working groups, and city cohort sessions.
• Ability to manage complex projects remotely.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Requirements

• Own a portfolio of 5-8 active city and state partnerships across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
• Conduct structured needs assessments and develop scopes of work.
• Coordinate technical service delivery with AF’s Urban Forestry team specialists.
• Co-lead the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative.
• Design and lead peer learning events, workshops, and technical assistance sessions.
• Identify cities ready for deeper engagements with American Forests.
• Cultivate relationships with municipal and state agencies.
• Collaborate on proposals, donor communications, and fundraising.
• Manage regional project information via Airtable and Microsoft Office tools.
• Support Finance & Operations in developing and managing budgets.
• Serve as a key resource for internal and external communications.
• Manage and oversee the Manager, Urban Forestry, California.

Benefits

• This is a full-time, salaried exempt position.
• The budgeted salary range is between $90,000 and $95,000.

Working Conditions

• Remote, based in the Pacific Northwest, with a preference for Seattle or Portland metro areas.
• Up to 25% travel throughout the U.S., including to American Forests' headquarters in Washington D.C., may be required.